Tripod News

“I think all art is about control—the encounter between control and the uncontrollable.”—Richard Avedon

There’s something here for everyone this week. We look at a retro tripod from a famous filter maker, a messenger bag from a famous tripod maker, a lens case from my favorite photo backpack maker and a new circular polarizing filter from a not-so-famous accessory maker—plus a knockout protective case for your MacBook. 

In my review of the original Platypod Pro I suggested that it was “Quite possibly the coolest camera support around.” Well, here’s news: it just got bigger—and better. 

I’m as bad as the next guy when it comes to tripods. I know I should know better—they’re the only accessory you can buy that has the potential to improve every single picture you take. I’ve written about tripods at least a hundred times. That said, there have been too many occasions when I’ve been two-legged when I should have used three.

You can now take underwater "selifes" thanks to the new AquaPod Mini from SeaLife. Designed to be an extendable underwater monopod (that can mount to any camera) that allows divers to get close to sea creatures from a safe distance, the AquaPod Mini can also be used as a fun “selfie stick."

Manfrotto just launched it's new Off Road collection, which is designed to meet the needs of outdoor photographers looking for compact and lightweight accessories to capture their adventures. The Off Road collection includes a pair of Italian-made walking sticks with camera attachment (converting it to a monopod), a lightweight tripod and a collection of hiker backpacks for photo gear, available in a variety of colors to match your hiking gear.

Like most photographers I occasionally become equipment obsessed, but sometimes even the smallest tool, something as simple and useful as a new LensPen, can make creating new images a little easier. I’ve often said that the most important piece of equipment is the one between a photographer’s ears, but creating images also requires tools. Choosing the right tool or accessory may not make the difference between a good photograph and a bad one, but may make the difference in whether or not you even try to capture it.